PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 10, 7 October 1907, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

. PAHIATUA. Hoavy and steady rain continues, and numerous slips aro reported from the outlying districts. A-further slip on the railway south of hero delayed . . Wild Cat until 7 o'clock this morning. The mails this morning were blocked for Konini, Hamua, and Newman by a slip on the main road. A slip on the Maknri road delayed tho coach two hours: LEVIN. , A meeting v<as held in Levin on Tuesday evening, its purpose being to form a bowling club. The meeting resolved to form a club, and a strong committee was set up, its first business, being to draw up rules, and sc-Icct a suitable site for tho green. Tho members of the committee elected were:— .Messrs. D. S. Pnpworth, W. S. Park", D. Smart, J. Craig, J. Malcolm, J. Whittaker, T. A. li. Hudson, T. Jennings, and Major Burlinson. Mr. J. itlaicolm occupicd tho chair. The movement seems to bo a papular one, for it has been stated that somo sixty names aro on the list of intending members. ■ The Levin Dramatic Club is nowbusy rehearsing that well-known comedy, Jane." This club is an.exceedingly popular one, and has produced some right plays during its existence of eighteen months.. A meeting of tno.Lovih Rifle Club was held on Tuesday evening, when ic was decided to opon tiro shooting season on October S), Labour Day. Several competitions have been arranged for, one amongst them being a 200-yards match for ladies. ■ Tiie trout fishing season opened on Tuesday, but enthusiasts seem to no few and far between, for it is slated that only about four licenses have been taken out in Levin, although there arc many first-rate lishing spots in the district. UPPER RANGITIKEI. Rain lias set in, much to tho disconsolation of tho settler, to whom its cnntinuanco means serious losses. Tho roads of both borough and district have not had an opportunity of drying, and present thy appearonco of morasses. Reports fi c:\vtho AVaimarino aro to a similar ell'tct, and altogether thero is a dismal outlook. Much interest is beinii evinced in Kaetihi by the representations of tho Wanganui Cbambor of Commerce in connection v/ith tho repairing of the Parapara road from the Wanganui end,

tho general fooling being that thn northern portion of that road should bo taken in hand in order to givo settlers in the vicinity a ready outlet. Considerable discussion is taking piaco in Taihapp with reference, to tho long-promised extension of the railway yards. Tho largo and increasing waffle is seriously hampered by the limited yard accommodation, and a serious derailment was narrowly averted on Wednesday, which, as it was resulted in the mail train for the south being delayed half an hour. Unless extension is made it is feared much inconvenience and delay will bo occasioned when tho Waimarino mills are full swing, and the timberladen trucks appoar continuously. Borough works in Taihapo are being seriously interfered with by tho prolonged wet- spell, and it seems not unlikely that tho various schemes for town improvement will not bo completed until well into the autumn. FEILDING. It is plainly evident that Mr. E. H. Orabbe and fellow farmers are organising a movement closely and systematically for the extension of the railway to the Kimbolton district. Mr. Crabbe is chairman of the Kimbolton Haiiway League, and is issuing a circular to settlers throughout the countryside, attached to which is a list of ten questions to be filled up as to the number of fat sheep and lambs sold last year by each settlor; the prob-' able full producing capacity of. his land in stock and wool when in full cultivation; tho ' area of land ploughed; tho area capable of being ploughed; the amount of grain and other agricultural produce sent away last year; whether, in tho event of tho railway opening, to what extent would his agricultural products be enlarged, and so on. Feilding Fire Brigade matters are progressing smoothly now. Superintendent Taywell is completing tho equipment, and is taking steps to ascertain the cost of providing sleeping' accommodation for two firemen jn the present station.' ■Mr. R. K. Simpson informs the "Star" that so far docking gives 03 per cont. of lambs in-his flock, aud he is afraid that tho result will not bo increased when tho work is finished. . Sir Joseph and Lady Ward arc to bo asked to present tho prizes at tho Wanganui Girls' College about December. . Tho Oroua County Council intends to erect a new office in Manchester Street, Feilding, opposito tho public saloyards. In connection with the Feilding Borough Council's application to tho Oroua County Council to permit of the extension qf the radius for slaughtering for the Feilding- abbatoir from three miles to five miles. Settlors in the vicinity of Menzies Ford have promised sums totalling £230 towards the cost of orecting the proposed bridgo at the ford. In addition to that', Mr. Smith on one side and Mr. Hi tell man on the other sido of tho river are said to bo willing to dcdicato the land necessary for tho approaches to the bridgo. The Feilding Borough Council sat last night after the telegraph oflico closed. Complaints ivcro received' re-' garding storm water troubles from tho persistent rains. ■ ' A request was made for the widen-' ing of M'Arthur Street, aud it was dccidcd to tako a picce off each foptpatli. The Health Officer reported having recently made an inspection, arid having found the trading portion of the town in a worso condition rcsptoting garbage and rubbish than it iiad been since the inception of the sewerage syst'em. Stables were in a bad siatc, aiid required.remedying. Steps wore ordered to be taken to abate the nuisance. ThoEngineor-reported that ho/couldi not got- ironbark in Wellington for tlioi Kiivitea bridge. The monthly meeting of tho Oroua County Council was held to-day, when thorn were present:— Messrs. Wheeler (chairman), Vincent, Howling, Iteid, .liornfoot, and Fcarce. T'ho Engineer reported that tho rccent heavy floods had causcd a good deal of damage in tho country, tho most serious being the'collapso of one of tho ■ift. concrete culverts on the AshhurstPalinorstoii road. The culvort is totally destroyed,,and tho Council proposes "replacing it-with a widerHimlicr culvort to cost about £82. The' other ■ damage done wa§. a wash-out at tho Kakariki Bridge',' part of tho _ road having clipped awav on Tokorangi.'HiU, and there were slips on the FoildingAshhurst watershed. Tho roads wei'o all opsn for traffic within twelve hours of tho blockage. Tho Engineer had made a survey, and prepared plans for the formation or ono milo of the Onopuhi' Road through the Ron Ren Native reserve, but iir accordanco with tho wishes, of the Natives, this work had beep, held ovor until after tho meeting of tho JSativo Land Court. Pormissiou was given by tho Council to. the Feilding Motor Association to orect a danger signal on Cinder Mill. The inspector of Lower Gorge Bridgo ,reported that very little progress had been made during tho past month, as tho river had been in iiood for nearly tho whole timo. Mr. Larcor.'.b, of Palmerston North, has been engaged as draughtsman to assist Mr. Roches, resident engineer to tho Feilding Borough.Council. .Mr. Lnrcomb, will undertake office work, enabling the engineer to givo more time to the very necessary outside surveys, etc. Mr. W. J. Morton, stationmastor has returned from Rotorua, where he has been recruiting his health. Mr. G. Goodbohcro intends 'to sever his connection with tho Bank of Australasia hero to tako up a position in Wellington. A scheme proposed by Mr. Fred. Piraui, Chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, for the payment of all teachers' salaries through the nostoffice, is fcoing considered by the authorities of the general post office ::ud tho Education Department. ' Mr. Onglcy has been elected permanent secretary of the Feilding OddFellows Lodge. 11l an editorial on " Queer Customs," Saturday's Feilding "Star" says: " Tho Customs .Department has done some queer things in tho carrying out of its protective policy, but it is surely going to a ridiculous extreme of inconsiderateness in its attitude on refunds. In the application of refunds a great injustice is being done to business people in the country beyond the seaports, who have received importations since tho now tariff was imposed. The Department demands that articles upon which extra duty has been paid, and for which refunds arc boing asked, must be sent to a Customs oßiee. The thing se'ems increditablo, yet here is a noto from a letter • just received by a Feilding importer (Air. John Cobbe) from his Customs agent in Wellington: "With regard to boots, the Customs authorities informed mo to-day that all lines on which refunds are required must be produced . in Wellington. In view of this will you kindly ship tho lot in stock to me. hero?' Tho "Star" suggests: "What is to prevent tho Department sending ono of its officers up hero to inspsct goods in tho several towns instead of putting business men to tho trouble of collecting goods, rco'.icking cases, and sending them lack to Wellington? Tho 'expenses incidental to the sending out of a Customs official would readily be borne by applicants for refunds." PALMERSTON.. At a meeting of directors of the Bunnythorpe Dairy Company on Saturday night, the demands of tho Factory Managers' Union were discusscd and strong objection was made to tho

proposals therein contained. It was decided to enter an emphatic protest. The resignation of Mr. Jarry, one of the directors, who is leaving for Auckland, was received with regret. The company is .shipping its butter Home except that placed on the local market. A consignment was to have been forwarded on the JTurakina, but through some unavoidable delay it was not-placed on board. It was dccided to pay 10{d. this month to shareholders settlers from a distance of five miles who were supplying tho company. At Messrs. Gorton and Son's horse sale at Feilding 011 Saturday there was an absence of buyers, and the sale was inclined to drag. There was a poor demand for draughts. A slip came down 011 Saturday near Mangaweka, causing irregularity in the train service. It is gratifying to note that at present there are no infectious cases in ' the district, hospital. Influenza is, hov .'ever, still prevalent around Palmorston. A number of flaxmill hands, who are now idle, will resume work today. The police report that there is a falling off in. the number of cases for drunkenness hero of late. This is probably attributed to the fact that the weather does not permit wouldbe offenders knocking up a cheque. • FEATHERSTON. Mr. H. Rotter has resigned the position of Captain of tho Featherston Volunteer Fire Brigade, and an election to fill the vacancy takes place at the next meeting. The Rev. Jas. M'Caxv, of Martinborough, left on Friday 011 a visit to tho Pnhiatua parish, and the Rev. W. Woollass will officiate at Martinborough on Sunday. It is stated that owners of straying stock within the Featherston County aro in future to bo prosecuted under the Police Offences Act. The Featherston Town Board is considering the (juestion of improving tho street lighting with additional acetylene lamps. The Feathorston Co-opcrativo Dairy , Company will sqnd its first consign- ' m'ent of this season's cheese to Wellington 011 Monday morning for shipment to the U'nited Kingdom. A shoot under the auspices of tho Feathorston Gun Club takes place oh October 12. PALMERSTON. At Ashhurst last month rain fell 011 21 days, tho greatest fall being on tho 26th with 1.70 in. Tho total for tho month was G.44in. against the total of o.lin. for the corresponding month of last year. In rosponso to a request from the Manawatu Employers' Association, Mr. Wood, M.H.1!... waited 011 the Minister of Labour to 'urgo tho adoption of a suggestion that provision bo made in tho Bill now beforo Parliament to onablo those owning factories and shops combined to observe the weekly half-holiday on tho samo day in respect to both departments of their businesses. It was not intended that tho suggestion should apply to tho four cities, hut to tho smaller country towns. Mr. .Wood is stated to have received a favourable reply from the Minister. The bazaar in aid of St. Andrew's is receiving liberal .support, and a /very effective display is provided with musical items and competitions in tho evenings. ■; _ . . 'l'ho carriers' meeting was adjourned till noxt week. Thqro is a probabilityof- the uprico of carrying being increased. ■ ' : Mr. R. Cornwall, of Taranaki, who is at present visiting pal men; ton. states that a month ago ho disposed of a herd of Jersey cows at an exceptionally good price. Sinco then prominent Manawatu.breedero havo.bcon forward-, inc; Jerseys to .Taranaki,, and realising good 'prices. ■. Mr. Cornwall also states that tho rainfall in Taranaki • has not been so heavy recently as hero, and that sheen hero look moro dragged. There nro a vast number of milking machines boing installed in Taranaki. . Mr- J- Knight,'a well known Southdown breeder, interviewed at Feildiiig yesterday stated that ho was preparing a strong team for the Mana-_ watu show, including his imported ram; from which ho docked 80 laiubs the other day. Ho "believes thatstud breeders will have to seriously consider the question of housing show sheep as it is almost impossible to get aheop in good condition for spring shows, owing to the season. ■ Ar. Aoraugi Government settler reports tho salo of tho goodwill of a perpetual leasehold of 100 acres at £26. Good freehold'is soiling in the Manawatu. at from £30 to £40 an acre. Thero was a good attendance of Manawatu buyers at the Feilding sale but tho attendance of farmers was small. Lines of good hoggets sold exceptionally well, and fat cattlo were high. Thero was an improvement .V tho price of dairy cows. J MASTERTON. Mr. H. R-. Wood,' tho well-known auctioneer in the Wairarapa for Messrs. Dalgety and Company, has boon, transferred permanentlyfrom this-town to tho head-office, .Wellington, where 110 has been acting as .temporary auctioneer for some time. • Sawmillers, aro cutting to pieces, the magnificent bush in the Otaki Gorge on the Tararuas, while almost the same thing has been going 011 on the Waii-ampa side or the ranges. It is a great pity that something is not done to prevent this wholesclo desecration of mountain scenory, but the Government is greatly to blame for taxing standing bush, which the settler feels duly inclined to get rid of. Heavy rains have; fallen between Hukanui and * Pahiatua, and in the Konini district. Tho Mangatainoka River has left its banks, and Hooded over a hundred acres of country. The Dalofield district is also experiencing its share of Hoods at the present time,: roads and- paddocks being inundated in all directions. The Kuripuni flag station 011 the railway line is at present a filthy monument to the youthful ohsceiuty of tho district. Lead pencil caligrapliy of a disgusting nature, and verses of bestiality, adorn tho walls of the building in every direction. Tho phallic curiosities 01 Pompeii and tler.citlancum are not a patch upon tho modern efforts of "the Masterton youth. Tho station wants a strong disinfection ; then it should be washed with caustic and newly painted. The building will then cease to bo a loathsome eyesore to healthy-minded residents. GREYTOWN. Some time ago, writes our Wairarapa corrrospondent, there was an agitation in Morrison's Bush a new post-office and a telephone. Tho agitation was not before its time. The present building, which is alleged to do duty as a post-office, is a ramshackle, unpainted building, orectcd when the first settlers came to the district. The post-ofiico delivery was on lines adapted to the requirements of tho building. In short the whole institution was a sham and the despair of the residents. Tho Government was approached by the member for ■ the district, Mr. Ilornsby, and decided to instal a now post-office, provided some capable person would take ehargo of the telephone. Meantime the telephone line, the posts for which are already laid, could be constructed, and a new ofiice could be opened in the course of a month. Morrison's Bush is only three miles from Greytown, but its mail service is only

thrice weekly instead of daily as it should be. As a post-office its condition is one of the most backward in Now Zealand; and the residents undoubtedly have a just grievance. Mr. If. Waite, an old resident of Morrison's Bush, is 111 a critical state of health, which is occasioning much anxiety to his many friends. EKETAHUNA. Eketahuna established a record last for tho quantity of rain which jell. Tho month of October, however, has made a creditable commencement tjwprds .eclipsing September's fall, ivhilo these records are being constituted, how is tho "back blocker" faring? His unmetalled roads have developed into quagmires, and aro invariably impassable owing to slips. He never knows when his provisions aro to rcach him, and his lifo is 0110 glorious stato of uncertainty, Tho grocer's assistant never leaves homo with his van for tho country without being fully cquiDporl with spade, jack, etc. —essential -weapons to ensure a safe return, un roads where vehicles . aro unable to travel, and those are not few in number, tho pack-horsa may bo seen trudging up to his girths in mud. Tho life of this animal is short. Ho deviates a- few feet from ,iio beaten track and in a twinkling is out of sight, carrying with him the settler's provisions. Tho remains of horses are seen all along tho route, and ■ tho bodies at times serve to bridge almost'impassable' stages. These are not imaginary pictures. "The same condition ot things lias prevailed in tho Forty Mile Bush for tho last fif-" teen years. Some littla while back a majority of tho ratepayers of the Alfredton district petitioned the Masterton County Council for permission to secedo from • that bodv and join in -with tho Eketahuna County. Tho. Council would not grant tho request, pointing out that tho valuation of tho property of tho petitioners was considerably less than that of tho remaining . portion of tho ratepayers. Thoso who signed the petition aro mostly small men who contend, that by throwing in their lot with Ekotahuna they will havo' less : to pay'in rates and will receivo far better treatment than is at present meted out to them. Geographically, Ekotahuna and Alfredton should bo in one and tho samo county. Dccided objeotion is mado to the schome by the larger holders, as under tho jurisdiction of tho Ekotahuna County their rates would bo increase-d considerably, owing to the fact .'that tho Masterton rate is struck on .the capital valuo and the Ekotahuna ono 011 tho unimproved value. Tho small man intends to persevere, and it is. possible that Parliament may bo asked to put through an Enabling Bill. MARTON. - Mr. John Stevens, member for Manawatu, has liptified the Raugitikei County Council of his intention to support the Council's application for increased borrowing power. - . Tho limit for loans is now £6000 a year.' This sum is totally inadequate, for tho requirements of, this county, which is 0110 of the largest in New Zealand; Roads and bridges, are urgently needed in the northern portion, where settlement is goiiig on rapidly.. At overy couiicil meeting applications for loans for such wrork are put ill, but tho Council can only place them upon tho already long list to be applied .for - in turn. . v . It is reported that at the /Rangitikei Council meeting , oii Saturday that a loan proposal of £5,500' for the Pukeokahu Road had been signed' by_ all tho ratepayers interested, and is therefore carried. This is the largest loan raised by deed of consent within tho "county, and, being unanimously signed, constitutes a record. .Tenders are to bo called early so that the. contractor may liave ; ,tlie full benefit'of the summer weallie'r. The engineer, Mr. . Mair, told the Raugitikei Council on Saturday, tl|at September had been 9110 of tho wettest anil most disastrous months on . record, there boing twenty-three wet days, with a rainfall of eight inchek' Practically every siding, road, and cutting had been blocked with slips,. rendering necessary the employment of a large number of extra hands. The four principal roads branching from Huntervillc had been blocked, but had now been restored for wheel traffic. Two enormous land slides took place on the Manga'mahoe Road in the Pohohu.iblock.- and at ono place nine chains, and at another soven chains of tho hillside ' slipped bodily into tho river, leaving bare, a papa cliff into which to cut the road. It will be some weeks beforo this road can'be restored for/wheel traffic. Settlers in the hack-blocks are anxious to have a telephone service, but the Telegraph Department refuses applications unless the Rangitikoi Council will grant a subsidy. So far this has been done by the Council at a loss, and tho guarantee asked for by the Department for a telephone to Watershed Road was refused by tho Council, on Saturday. It was embodied in a resolution that tho Council thinks the _ Government should offer greater facilities to the settlers whom they have placed in the back-blocks. OTAKI. A-man named W. Roach, while eu*a"ed in carpentering work at Manakau on Friday, had- the misfortune to fall from a rafter to the ground. He was severely shaken, and ono-rib was broken. ; . x. Tho ease Bevan v. Bc-van, which is creating considerable interest locally, has been set down for Inday noxt-at Levin, when the S.M. will hold a sitting specially to bear it. Tho tennis season opened here on Saturday afternoon, but only a few members attended. , * . ■ A meeting of. tho tenuis social committee and members of the Golf •Club was held 011 Friday 111 g.it, when it was decided to hold a social 011 October 18. Strong. committees were : set up, and Mr. I'. Simcox.was elected secretary. The price of admission was liX £lrcacl.v there is an influx of visitors to* Otaki' in view of , the races which are to be lield next week, and all accommodation is practical y booked. Tho local branch of tho Salvation Armv has been busy collecting its selfdenial fund. The sum in hand is creator than that of any previous year, and there'is still £15 or so outstand'"cattlo 011' tho Manukau road are making a namo for themselves. .Only recently two ladies were almost hoisted over tiic fence by some infuriated blasts., and 011 Friday the local doctor had a narrow escape from being gored. Had it not been for the action of residents in the vicinity probably a\ serious mishap would have occurred. ■ The usual monthly meeting of the Otaki Road Board was held 011 Saturday afternoqn, when there wore present Messrs. Freeman (chairman), O. J. D'Ath, A. H. Rollo, and .1. Meads. A request from Mr. G. H. Newsd.i I for l.'i chains of roadway to' iiis prrperty at Manakau was ncrwd to. I il Mi:.-, decided that Mr. Ahern's ! Mauakan contract be.declared cancelI led, anil hjs deposit, in accordance with conditions, lie forfeited to tho Board's funds. The following payments were ordered:—S. Morgan. £9, 12s. -, J. Pepper, £9 125.; W. Vaughan, £3 os. 9d.; H. F.. Eagar, £18 Is.; J. Power, £13 Gs. 9d.; C. H. Williams, Gs. i Byron Brown, l'ls.; Ataki Mail, £3 Gs. It is estimated that Mr.William Joue. inijs Hryan, the leader of the American Democratic party, earns <£10,000 a year by giving lectures.